Author Hunter Darden shows off the colorful illustrations in her newest book “From Gloom to Bloom.”

Kitsey Burns Harrison | Yadkin Ripple

A local author has recently released a brand new children’s book. Author Hunter Darden, of Elkin, has written several children’s books as well as books for adults. Her latest, “From Gloom to Bloom,” shares an important message to kids about the power of positive thinking.

“That’s the main reason for all of my books, is to help children,” Darden said.

In the story, Ellie, who often wakes up in bad mood, is taught by her friend Mollie how to wake up with a happy attitude.

The book is a great lesson for kids on perspective. The illustrations in the first half of the book, in gloomy black and white, are transformed to color mid-way through when readers are told to flip the book over to read Mollie’s part of the story.

Darden said the idea for flipping in the middle of the book came to her in the middle of the night, as many of her ideas do.

“I sleep with a notepad on my bedside table, because I often wake up in the middle of the night with an idea for where I’m headed with the next book,” Darden said.

Darden’s inspiration for having a positive outlook on life, she largely attributes to her brother who passed away nine years ago. Darden said despite battling a debilitating illness, her brother Robert found joy in the most mundane moments of life. Her book, “Milliseconds of Joy,” a collection of black and white photography, is dedicated to her late brother.

An author for 17 years now, Darden’s dream of writing came at a young age.

“It’s been my dream since I was in the fourth grade, all because of my love for the Nancy Drew mystery series,” Darden said. “I remember the day my teacher went around the classroom and asked each one of us what we wanted to be when we grew up and I can remember that moment going ‘I’m going to be an author when I grow up.’”

Darden wrote her first book, “The Everlasting Snowman,” following her father’s death as a way to explain death to her own children. More than just writing fun books with colorful illustrations for children, Darden seeks to help children and parents with difficult situations through the stories of her books.

Darden’s newest book “From Gloom to Bloom” is available through her website www.booksbyhunter.net, as are her other titles, many of which may be personalized to order. Darden also frequently has a booth with her books for sale at RagApple Lassie Winery and Vineyard in Boonville. Darden will be available at RagApple Lassie on Dec. 28 and 29. She is frequently at the winery with her books Thursday through Monday.

For more information or to purchase books, visit www.booksbyhunter.net. or email [email protected]

Kitsey Burns Harrison may be reached at 336-679-2341 or on Twitter @RippleReporterK.